Matney: Life as 'Sesame Street' Honker

It was Nov. 10, 1969, when “Sesame Street” debuted on public television, combining learning with having fun. The show now is seen in more than 100 countries.

It has the largest worldwide audience of any children’s television program. It has won 131 Emmy Awards, more than any other program in television history, and it was reported that “99 percent of preschoolers recognize ‘Sesame Street’ characters Big Bird, Bert, Ernie and Cookie Monster.”

Faced with such phenomenal success, the decision to take “Sesame Street” on the road was a no-brainer.

First came the ice shows and then, in September 1980, the first “Sesame Street Live” show arrived — with actors covered head to toe in large costumes, and the character’s voices pre-recorded “on a sound track along with all of the music and sound effects,” according to Connie Shaver, a promoter and publicist for the show.

Three separate “Sesame Street Live” shows tour the world simultaneously — and “Sesame Street Live: Elmo’s Healthy Heroes” will be staged four times today and Sunday at the United Spirit Arena.

Spending each day covered in a colorful costume no doubt was the farthest thing from the mind of Jason Matney, an Anaheim, Calif. native, when he began majoring in music education at Fullerton College.

Yet enticed by the opportunity to “travel and perform,” Matney left campus and auditioned.

Now a veteran with Vee Corp. — the company licensed to create life-size “Sesame Street” characters and produce stage shows — Matney has become one of many “Sesame Street Live” veterans.

He’s never worked anywhere else.

He mentioned by telephone that he has performed in five “Sesame Street Live” shows over eight years. In fact, he still loves the travel and opportunity to “perform,” but with one addition: “the opportunity to bring joy to so many children.”

He will repeat this phrase a number of times.

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